red grape · regional specialty
Lagrein
Gries, Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy
Say it
lah·grine
The -ei- is a Germanic diphthong (rhymes with 'wine'), not the Italian long-e; South Tyrol is German-speaking and the grape name follows German phonology.
On the palate
black cherryblackberryblack plumvioletdark chocolateleathertobacco
How you spot it blind: intense violet florals over dark fruit with a bitter-almond finish
The story
First written down · 1379, Termeno, South Tyrol
DNA analysis confirmed Lagrein is a Teroldego × Schiava Gentile cross, making it a sibling of Marzemino and, via Teroldego's sibling relationship with Dureza, a first cousin of Syrah.
Family tree: Teroldego × Schiava Gentile
Where it lives
Alto Adige (South Tyrol), Italy · Trentino, Italy
Shows up as
still redrosé